Licensed Massage Therapist in Maine & Florida (NCBTMB and member of AMTA)

Swedish Massage (more information)

One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body.

The client is covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin.

The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.

Ashiatsu Massage (more information)

Ashiatsu is unlike any deep tissue massage you have ever experienced! The root word 'ashi' means 'foot' and 'atsu' means 'pressure' so together they symbolize 'foot pressure' in a technique that delivers a consistent, deep, luxurious massage. Correct application provides deep relaxation and stimulates the lymphatic system of the body. Bars are used overhead for support and balance.

Since this technique requires overhead bars for support and balance, it is only available at the Ellsworth, Maine therapy center.

Deep Tissue Massage (more information)

Deep muscle massage

Deep muscle therapy aims to relieve the chronic tension throughout the muscles and fiberous tissues within the body. Its known to greatly increase flexibility and range of motion, and its also known to greatly improve posture and restore the bodys natural harmony.

When a practitioner performs deep muscle therapy on a client they aim to encourage the lymphatic and circulatory systems. This promotes the release of hazardous toxins in the body, and it also encourages the body to repair any damaged cells. Deep muscle therapy has been known to help heal minor muscle strains and connective tissue injuries, in addition to helping soothe more serious muscle conditions - such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons disease and even to lessen the symptoms associated with Muscular Dystrophy.

Although the techniques used by deep muscle therapy practitioners are very similar to Swedish massage, the strokes are applied with more pressure in order to stimulate the deeper muscles and surrounding tissues. A therapy such as deep tissue therapy depends largely on client-therapist trust. This is because deep tissue therapy is often uncomfortable, compared to a traditional relaxation style of massage (such as Swedish massage), and the therapist will only massage as deeply as the client is comfortable with. This means that the client must keep their massage therapist informed of their pain tolerance at all times during the session.

A deep muscle therapy session can range from 20-mintues to 1-hour. During the session the client will lay face up on the massage table. The therapist will typically not apply any massage oils or lotions to the area being deeply massaged, as they want to access the deep muscle tissues deep below the skins surface.

History (more information)

Massage is thought to be the oldest form of medical therapy practiced on the human body. The different types of massage and the various techniques that encompass them stem from our most celebrated civilizations and their traditional beliefs ancient Greek and Rome, ancient India and China.

Dating as far back as 2,700 B.C., ancient Eastern Chinese cultures practiced massage to heal a variety of ailments from labor pain to paralysis. Ancient Egyptian tombs have been discovered adorned with images of figures being massaged. In addition, according to traditional Indian medicine, a system known as Ayurveda, therapeutic massage was performed using a variety of aromatherapy oils and spices for their healing properties. Even Greek and Roman heroes - such as the great Julius Caesar - underwent daily massages to treat nerve pain.

In Western culture the most practiced form of massage is undoubtedly Swedish massage. First introduced in the 19th century, Swedish masseuses were thought to have borrowed many of their techniques from traditional China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome masseuses. A variety of the most effective massage techniques have also been incorporated into other complementary therapies - aromatherapy, Reiki, reflexology, Rolfing, Amma therapy and osteopathy.

Massage is still used today for treating a wide range of ages from babies to seniors - in a variety of intensive care, health club, and health clinic and hospital settings. To this day, massage is still used to treat various conditions such as premature birth, various types of cancer, AIDS, osteoarthritis, lumbar back pain, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, paralysis, heart attack, and stroke. Click on the links below to discover an amazing variety of massage therapy techniques. You're almost certain to find a popular style that suits your body perfectly!